Israel to Fund Flights to Repatriate Citizens After Flydubai Suspension

The Israeli government is set to approve a plan to subsidize flights for thousands of Israeli citizens stranded abroad following the suspension of services by Flydubai. The airline halted its approximately ten daily flights between Dubai and Israel on September 30th, citing an incident where a pilot allegedly attempted to crash a passenger plane. This suspension left numerous Israelis in Dubai without immediate travel options, as other routes are limited due to capacity issues.

Israeli airlines began repatriation efforts on October 2nd, but security regulations complicate the process. Aircraft must fly empty from Israel to Dubai, and passenger luggage cannot be loaded onto returning passenger flights. The Ministry of Transport fears these empty leg flights and baggage restrictions will make repatriation economically unviable for airlines, potentially limiting the number of flights.

To address this, the Ministry of Transport has proposed a "safety net" for airlines. While citizens will continue to purchase tickets normally, the state will cover costs only if passenger revenue does not meet operational expenses. This subsidy is capped at 9 million shekels and is intended to cover the additional costs incurred by empty flights or separate cargo transport. The Civil Aviation Authority will establish procedures for this aid, including time and scope limitations.

Additionally, a solution is being sought for passenger luggage. Due to a requirement from the UAE, the Ministry of Transport will work with the Ministry of Defense to transport luggage separately on cargo planes. This arrangement will continue until luggage can be loaded onto passenger flights or an alternative is found, and will not exceed the duration of the government's decision. The total cost of this operation is capped at 9 million shekels, with 5.5 million coming from funds allocated for coalition agreements and 3.5 million from the Ministry of Transport's budget. The arrangement is set to last until October 8th or until Flydubai resumes its flights, whichever comes first.

The proposal was reviewed for legal feasibility during the election period, with the understanding that outgoing governments should exercise restraint. However, the legal advisor for the Ministry of Transport determined that the decision is necessary due to the unusual circumstances, the need for a swift solution, and the limited scope and duration of the aid, thus finding no legal impediment to its approval.